California to Jerusalem – Part 1: California to Arles

We are in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California on Edison Lake south of Yosemite National Park. We have spent a couple weeks here in different campgrounds. Tree-lined mountains topped with bare rock surround us on three sides. Just trees stand on the other side of the lake. It has rained only once and that was more thunder than rain. The sun bakes us though the temps are only in the 70s (22-25C).

This is a good place to reflect on where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. We can take long walks on little used paths into the mountains or just sit in our 12 x 12 (3.5 m x 3.5 m) screen tent to avoid the day’s flies and evening’s and morning’s misquotes.

When will we return to Arles? Today we don’t know when and if we will. Our time here in the dry fresh air will tell us. We will decide when it is time to decide.

Remember and follow your dreams!

This journal is and always has been about a dream, our dream to walk a very long walk, a walk of one to two years duration to see who we become because of it. We have done that; 15 months for Petra and 16 for me; over 5,000 miles (8,200 km). But I have not written all these words just for me, for us. I have written them for you too.

I hope our story will inspire you remember your dreams, whatever they are, whether they demand you walk, paint, visit a close or far away place, record the stories of elders on video, write a book, make a movie, go to India by boat, or something else. Now is the time. Don’t wait too long or your dreams may fade leaving a big hole in your being.

Follow your dreams and tears (and while we are at it, your goose bumps). Follow them all. They tell you why you are here and answer the question, “What should I do?”